Tech

Steve Ballmer Admits Microsoft Surface Isn't an Instant Hit [UPDATED]

Both Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface have been on sale for more than two weeks, and the big question is: How are they doing? Although Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has already revealed the company sold 4 million downloads of Windows 8 in its first weekend, the only thing he has said about sales of the Surface is that they're "modest." (Microsoft later clarified Ballmer's comments — see "Update" below.)

Ballmer made his comments to France's Le Parisien when he was in Paris to promote the worldwide launch of Windows 8. Surface sales "are starting modestly," he told the paper, a tacit confession that it hasn't been a runaway hit for Microsoft. While few expected it would be, Microsoft clearly has high hopes for its home-built tablet, which is meant to showcase Windows 8 as a new platform for touch-enabled apps.

Even though sales aren't huge, Microsoft has had difficulty keeping its supplies up. On the shortage of Surface units, Ballmer said "it's a good sign," and that the company was was moving to fix the problem quickly.

Ballmer also took the opportunity to plug the upcoming new version of the tablet, the Surface Pro. The "high end" Surface will have a higher-resolution screen and be equipped with an Intel processor so it will be able to run apps designed for older versions of Windows. Microsoft still hasn't revealed the release date or price of the Surface Pro, although it has said it would be aimed to compete with Ultrabooks.

The Surface (aka Surface RT) has received generally positive reviews, including from Mashable. Most observers find a lot to like about the tablet's design and the impressive Windows 8 interface, but so far there are few apps for the platform.

Do you think sales of the Surface will pick up? Let us know your take on Microsoft's iPad competitor in the comments.

Update: Microsoft contacted us after this story was published and offered the following statement: When asked about Surface, Steve’s use of the term “modest” was in relation to the company’s approach in ramping up supply and distribution of Surface with Windows RT, which has only been available via our online store and Microsoft retail and holiday stores in the U.S. and Canada. While our approach has been modest, Steve notes the reception to the device has been “fantastic” which is why he also stated that “soon, it will be available in more countries and in more stores."

Photo by Mashable

BONUS: Microsoft Surface Review

Hands on With Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface Powered Up

This is the Surface tablet with Touch Cover in place.

Microsoft Surface Box Top

Microsoft's boxing is as clean and well-designed as anything from Apple.

Microsoft Surface Box Bottom

Details about Surface can be found on the back. Notice that our unit is the 64 GB model.

Microsoft Surface Box What's Inside

This is all there is inside the Surface box: A Tablet and AC power adapter.

Microsoft Surface Instructions

Underneath the Surface is this tiny instruction booklet.

Microsoft Surface Kickstand and Keyboard

It has just enough instruction to get you started.

Microsoft Surface Instruction Detail

A closer look at the instruction booklet.

Microsoft Surface Fresh Out of the Box

Removing the Surface for the first time.

Microsoft Surface AC Adapter

Surface Back with Kick Stand Open

The metal kick stand flips open with a flick of the finger.

Surface's USB Port, Micro HDMI Jack, and Speaker

This USB 2.0 slot works with most of your Windows peripherals. Here, I stuck in a Bluetooth connector for my Microsoft Arc Mouse.

Surface Magentic Power Port and Micro SD Slot

The magnetic power jack is convenient, but the magnetic plug doesn't always click in that smoothly. Also, is this really the best spot for a micro-SD slot?

Surface Touch Cover Channel and Connectors

This tablet is built with a keyboard in mind. Both the Touch Cover and Touch Keyboard snap into this channel with a resounding "click!"

Surface's Back Camera

Front and back cameras shoot 720P video and just above 1 MP stills.

Surface's Front Camera and Flash

Surface Speaker, Audio Jack and Volume Rocker

The volume rocker has an interesting trick: Press up or down volume twice and the volume will zoom all the way up or down on its own.

Microsoft Surface Touch Cover in Box

We got the $699 64 GB Surface and Touch Cover bundle. This is what the Touch Cover looks like in the box.

Microsoft Surface Touch Cover

The Touch Cover, which is the same width as the Surface tablet, easily accommodates my two largish hands.

Microsoft Surface Tablet

This is the welcome screen. A swipe up or tap on the space bar brings up the log-in. Just like traditional Windows, Windows RT supports multiple user profiles.

Composing E-Mail in Windows RT with Virtual Keyboard

Customizing Windows RT

You can alter Windows RT just as much as you can Windows 8 and its predecessor, Windows 7.

Fresh Paint App on Windows RT

While I had some trouble finding a decent drawing app in the Windows app store, Fresh Paint is a powerful, virtual media app.

Fresh Paint Art

Yes, you can draw on this tablet with your finger, but it did not work particularly well with a stylus.

Gameplay on Windows RT

This racing game's start screen was far more impressive than the actual game.

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